Cosmetic compositions

ABSTRACT

Cosmetic compositions comprising a silicone polymer having a viscosity at 0.01 Hz and 25° C. of greater than 100 Kpa.s together with a hair conditioning agent and/or from 2% to 30% by weight of an aerosol propellant are useful in methods of styling hair

This invention relates to cosmetic compositions comprising a siliconepolymer, to a method of styling hair using the polymer and to the use ofthe polymer to impart softness to hair.

The desire to have the hair retain a particular shape or style is widelyheld. The most common approach for accomplishing styling of hair is theapplication of a composition to dampened hair, after shampooing and/orconditioning, or to dry, styled hair. These compositions providetemporary styling benefits and can readily be removed by water orshampooing. To date, the materials employed in hair care compositions toprovide styling benefits have generally been natural or synthetic resinsand have been applied in the form of, for example, sprays, mousses, gelsand lotions.

Style creation products such as hair styling mousses provide human hairwith a temporary set which can be removed by water or by shampooing, andfunction by applying a thin film of a resin or gum onto the hair toadhere adjacent hairs together so that they retain the particular shapeor configuration at the time of application.

Cosmetic compositions containing vinyldimethicone/dimethicone copolymerand a cationic polymer are described in EP-A-1093808. The copolymersdescribed in this document are broadly taught as having a viscosity at25° C. and 0.01 Hz of between 1 Kpa.s (where 1 KPa.s is 1,000 Pa.s) and100 Kpa.s and viscosities at the lower end of this range of 5 Kpa.s to30 Kpa.s are preferred.

Aqueous foaming shampoo compositions containing emulsified vinylsilicone polymers are described in our copending application, GB0102657.4, filed on 2 Feb. 2001.

There remains a need for styling compositions having advantages over thecompositions of the prior art. For example, it is desirable for stylingcompositions to give hair greater softness, whilst maintaining orimproving the levels of other properties such as, for example,smoothness and ease of comb.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cosmeticcomposition comprising a silicone polymer having a viscosity at 0.01 Hzand 25° C. of greater than 100 Kpa.s together with a hair conditioningagent. The composition of this aspect of the invention is not a shampoocomposition ie, the composition is not a rinse off cleansing compositioncomprising from 0.1% to 50% by weight of a foaming surfactant.

In another aspect, the invention provides a cosmetic compositioncomprising a silicone polymer having a viscosity at 0.01 Hz and 25° C.of greater than 100 Kpa.s together with from 2% to 30% by weight of anaerosol propellant.

A further aspect of the invention is a method of treating hair whichcomprises applying to the hair a leave on composition comprising asilicone polymer having a viscosity at 0.01 Hz and 25° C. of greaterthan 100 Kpa.s.

A yet further aspect of the invention is the use of a silicone polymerhaving a viscosity at 0.01 Hz and 25° C. of greater than 100 Kpa.s forimparting softness to hair.

The present invention is based on the surprising finding that siliconepolymers having a viscosity at 0.01 Hz and 25° C. of greater than 100Kpa.s have advantages over corresponding polymers having a lowerviscosity, when they are used in cosmetic compositions. Given theteaching in the prior art, for example in EP-A-1093808, it could nothave been expected that there would be any benefit in using siliconepolymers having viscosities greater than 100 Kpa.s in cosmeticcompositions and certainly no indication that such polymers would havesuperior properties. For example, it has unexpectedly been found thatcompositions comprising silicone polymers having viscosities greaterthan 100 Kpa.s can have benefits compared to corresponding compositionscontaining silicone polymers having lower viscosities, when applied tohair, such as an increased perception of softness of the hair.

Compositions of the invention may have the further surprising advantageof imparting straighter alignment to the hair, compared to compositionscontaining lower viscosity silicone polymers.

Also, the present invention is at least partly based on the surprisingfinding that compositions of the invention may provide hair which isboth soft and easy to style; those skilled in the art are aware thatnormally hair becomes more difficult to style as the softness of thehair increases.

Preferably, the silicone polymer is present in compositions of theinvention in an amount of from 0.01% to 10% by weight, more preferably0.1% to 8% by weight, most preferably 0.5% to 4% by weight.

The silicone polymer is preferably a block copolymer comprising apolydimethylsiloxane block eg, ([OSi(Me)₂]_(n)), where Me representsmethyl and n is a positive integer of from 5 to 5000. Preferably all theblocks in the co-polymer are silicone based.

The silicone polymer is preferably terminated at at least one end of thepolymer chain with an alkenyl group containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms,for example 2 or 3 carbon atoms, such as a vinyl (CH═CH₂) or 2-propenylgroup. The silicone polymer may, however, be terminated with othergroups such as hydroxyl, amino or carboxylic acid groups, for example.

The silicone polymer may take a variety of different forms. For example,it may be linear or branched.

Preferably, the silicone polymer comprises at least one group of formula(CH₂—CH₂), bonded at each of its ends to a silicon atom. This group maybe formed as a result of the synthetic method that is used to form thepolymer.

In one embodiment of the invention, the silicone polymer has theformula:X{(R¹)(R²)Si—[O—Si(R³)(R⁴)]_(n)—O—Si(R⁵)(R⁶)—CH₂—CH₂}_(p)Si(R⁷)(R⁸)[—O—Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)]_(m)—O—Si(R¹¹)(R¹²)X′where: X and X′ independently represent H or a vinyl (CH═CH₂) group;

-   R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² independently    represent an alkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryl    group or an aralkyl group;-   n and m are each independently positive integers of from 5 to 10000,    preferably from 50 to 5000; and-   p is a positive integer of from 1 to 100.

Preferably, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² are allmethyl. X and X′ are preferably both vinyl.

The term “alkyl” as used herein, includes straight chain and, for alkylgroups containing three or more carbon atoms, branched and alsocycloalkyl groups. The cycloalkyl groups may optionally contain aheteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Examples ofstraight chain alkyl include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl and C14,C15, C16, C17 C18, C19 C20, C21 C22, C23 and C24 linear alkyl. Examplesof branched alkyl include isopropyl, isobutyl, and tert-butyl. Examplesof cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl andcyclohexyl.

The term “aryl” as used herein includes phenyl and other polycyclicfused ring compounds which contain at least one fully aromatic ring,such as, for example, naphthalene.

The term “aralkyl” as used herein refers to C₁ to C₆ alkyl substitutedwith aryl (eg, benzyl).

The silicone polymer has a viscosity at 0.01 Hz and 25° C. of at least100 Kpa.s, preferably from 101 Kpa.s to 500 Kpa.s, more preferably from110 to 500 Kpa.s, even more preferably from 110 to 300 Kpa.s, forexample 120 to 190 Kpa.s, yet more preferably from 140 to 190 Kpa.s.Viscosity is measured as the viscosity of the internal phase of anoil-in-water emulsion of the silicone polymer using a Carri-Med CSL² ₅₀₀Rheometer (TA Instruments).

The silicone polymer is typically supplied in the form of an aqueousoil-in-water emulsion containing an emulsifier (preferably a nonionicemulsifier). The polymer generally constitutes from 50% to 75% by weightof the emulsion. The volume average particle size of the silicone in theemulsion, determined using a Microtrac® UPA150 Ultrafine ParticleAnalyser (Honeywell, Inc, Industrial Automation and Control, StPetersburg, Fla., USA), will preferably be in the range of from 0.01 μmto 5 μm, more preferably from 0.1 μm to 1.5 μm, most preferably from 0.1μm to 1 μm. The silicone polymer will preferably have the same particlesize in the compositions of the invention and will preferably be in theform of an emulsion in compositions of the invention with the siliconepolymer present in the internal phase.

Suitable silicone polymers may be synthesised by known techniques, forexample by using metal-catalysed polymerisation from suitable monomers.The silicone polymers may typically be synthesised in an emulsion, withpolymerisation occurring in situ within the emulsion droplets. Suitablesilicone polymers include those described in EP-A-0874017 (Dow Corning)and may be prepared by the methods described therein. Thus, the siliconemay be produced by the reaction of a hydride-terminated silicone with avinyl-terminated silicone. The hydride-terminated silicone willpreferably have a molecular weight of from 186 to 117,000 Da (aviscosity of 0.7 to 65,000 cps) and the vinyl-terminated silicone willtypically have a molecular weight of 400 to 62,700 Da (a viscosity of 2to 10,000 cps). Other suitable methods of forming the silicone polymersinclude, for example, polycondensation of amine-terminated siliconeswith carboxylic acid-terminated silicones. Further methods include thatdescribed in EP-A-1069149 (Dow Corning) in which high molecular weightsilicones are produced by polycondensation of silanol emulsions usingcondensation specific acid catalysts such as dialkylsulphonic acid.

The method of the invention involves applying to the hair a compositioncomprising a silicone polymer having a viscosity at 0.01 Hz and 25° C.of greater than 100 Kpa.s. Preferably, the method is a method forstyling hair and comprises a step of forming the hair into a desiredshape or style. The method may involve application of the siliconepolymer to the hair in the form of a composition of the invention,although the silicone polymer may be applied to the hair in the form ofother compositions.

Hair Conditioning Agents

Hair conditioning agents such as hydrocarbons, silicone fluids, andcationic materials, including the cationic surfactant and cationic hairstyling polymers described below, may be included in the compositions ofthe invention. Hair conditioning agents are preferably substances thatare capable of spreading onto hair fibres and reducing friction betweenthe fibres. Hair conditioning agents may typically be present incompositions of the invention in amounts of from 0.001% to 10% byweight, preferably 0.1% to 5% by weight. Hair conditioning agents may besingle compounds or mixtures of two or more compounds from the sameclass or different general classes.

Hair conditioning agents may be included in any of the compositions ofthe invention, regardless of whether they contain a hair styling polymerin addition to the silicone polymer. For example, the compositions ofthe invention (such as aerosol mousse formulations, for example) maycomprise a hair conditioning agent and may be substantially free of hairstyling polymer.

Suitable hydrocarbons can be either straight or branched chain and cancontain from about 10 to about 16, preferably from about 12 to about 16carbon atoms. Examples of suitable hydrocarbons are decane, dodecane,tetradecane, tridecane, and mixtures thereof.

Other suitable hair conditioning agents include fatty alcohols andesters of fatty acids and/or esters of fatty alcohols. Examples of suchhair conditioning agents are C₈-C₂₄ linear alkyl alcohols (eg, cetylalcohol, cetearyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol), C₁-C₂₄ linear orbranched alkyl esters of C₈-C₂₄ linear alkyl carboxylic acids and C₈-C₂₄linear alkyl esters of C₁-C₇ carboxylic acids. Isopropyl myristate is anexample of a member of this class of hair conditioning agents.

Examples of suitable silicone conditioning agents useful herein caninclude either cyclic or linear polydimethylsiloxanes, phenyl and alkylphenyl silicones, and silicone copolyols.

Compositions according to the invention may, optionally, comprise from0.1% to 10% by weight of a volatile silicone as the hair conditioningagent. Volatile silicones are well known in the art and are commerciallyavailable and include, for example linear and cyclic compounds. Volatilesilicone oils are preferably linear or cyclic polydimethylsiloxanescontaining from about three to about nine silicon atoms.

The compositions of the invention may optionally comprise a cross-linkedsilicone polymer.

The cross-linked silicone polymer is preferably a non-rigidemulsion-polymerised and may be present in compositions of the inventionin an amount of up to 10% by weight based on the total weight of thecomposition, more preferably from 0.2% to 6% by weight, most preferablyfrom 0.5 to 5% by weight.

Preferred silicone polymers for use in the invention arepolydiorganosiloxanes, preferably derived from suitable combinations ofR₃SiO_(0.5) units and R₂SiO units where each R independently representsan alkyl, alkenyl (e.g., vinyl), alkaryl, aralkyl, or aryl (e.g. phenyl)group. R is most preferably methyl.

The preferred silicone polymers of the invention are cross-linkedpolydimethyl siloxanes (which have the CTFA designation dimethicone),and cross-linked polydimethyl siloxanes having end groups such ashydroxyl (which have the CTFA designation dimethiconol). Good resultshave been obtained with cross-linked dimethiconol.

Cross-linking of the silicone polymer is typically introducedconcurrently during emulsion polymerisation of the polymer through theinclusion of the required amount of trifunctional and tetrafunctionalsilane monomer units, for example, those of formula:

-   -   R Si (OH)₃ wherein R represents an alkyl, alkenyl (e.g. vinyl),        alkaryl, aralkyl or aryl (e.g. phenyl) group, preferably methyl.

The degree of cross-linking of the silicone polymer can be measured asthe percentage of branched monomer units in the silicone polymer and isfrom 0.05% to 10%, preferably being in the range 0.15% to 7%, e.g. from0.2% to 2%. Increasing cross-linking is found to improve stylingbenefits but also to reduce conditioning performance somewhat, socompromise levels must be selected with properties optimised to suitconsumer preferences in different cases. Good overall performance hasbeen obtained with dimethiconol 0.3% cross-linked.

Suitable emulsion polymerised cross-linked silicone polymers arecommercially available or can be readily made using conventionaltechniques well known to those skilled in the art.

Cross-linked silicone polymers are described in EP 818190, the contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

Cationic Polymer

Hair conditioning agents suitable for use in the invention includecationic polymers.

The cationic polymer, when present in compositions of the invention, ispreferably a cationic hair styling polymer and it is preferably presentin the composition in an amount of from 0.01% to 10% by weight, morepreferably from 0.1% to 10% by weight, most preferably from 0.5% to 5%by weight. Cationic polymers may be used singly or as mixtures of one ormore different polymers.

Examples of cationic hair styling polymers are copolymers ofamino-functional acrylate monomers such as lower alkyl aminoalkylacrylate, or methacrylate monomers such as dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate, with compatible monomers such as N-vinylpyrrolidone, vinylcaprolactam, alkyl methacrylates (such as methyl methacrylate and ethylmethacrylate) and alkyl acrylates (such as ethyl acrylate and n-butylacrylate).

Specific examples of suitable cationic polymers are:

-   -   copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethyl        methacrylate, available from ISP Corporation as Copolymer 845,        Copolymer 937 and Copolymer 958;    -   copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and        dimethylaminopropylacrylamide or methacrylamide, available from        ISP Corporation as Styleze® CC10;    -   copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidine and dimethylaminoethyl        methacrylate;    -   copolymers of vinylcaprolactam, N-vinylpyrrolidone and        dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate;

Polyquaternium-4 (a copolymer of diallyldimonium chloride andhydroxyethylcellulose);

Polyquaternium-11 (formed by the reaction of diethyl sulphate and acopolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and dimethyl aminoethylmethacrylate),available from ISP as Gafquat® 734, 755 and 755N, and from BASF asLuviquat® PQ11;

Polyquaternium-16 (formed from methylvinylimidazolium chloride andvinylpyrrolidone), available from BASF as Luviquat® FC 370, FC 550, FC905 and HM-552;

Polyquaternium-46 (prepared by the reaction of vinylcaprolactam andvinylpyrrolidone with methylvinylimidazolium methosulphate), availablefrom BASF as Luviquat® Hold.

Cationic Surfactant

Hair conditioning agents suitable for use in the invention also includecationic surfactants.

The cationic surfactant, when present in compositions of the invention,is preferably a quaternary ammonium salt having at least one alkyl groupcontaining from 8 to 24 carbon atoms bound to the nitrogen atom.Generally, the cationic surfactant, when present in the compositions ofthe invention, is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.1%to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.1% to 2% by weight.

Examples of cationic surfactants include: quaternary ammoniumhydroxides, e.g., tetramethylammonium hydroxide, alkyltrimethylammoniumhydroxides wherein the alkyl group has from about 8 to 24 carbon atoms,for example octyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, dodecyltrimethylammoniumhydroxide, hexadecyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, cetyltrimethylammoniumhydroxide, behenyltrimethylammonium hydroxide,octyldimethylbenzylammonium hydroxide, decyldimethyl-benzylammoniumhydroxide, stearyldimethylbenzylammonium hydroxide,didodecyldimethylammonium hydroxide, dioctadecyldimethylammoniumhydroxide, tallow trimethylammonium hydroxide, cocotrimethylammoniumhydroxide, and the corresponding salts thereof, e.g., chlorides,cetylpyridinium hydroxide or salts thereof, e.g., chloride,Quaternium-5, Quaternium-31, Quaternium-18, and mixtures thereof.

Hair Styling Polymer

Optionally, compositions of the invention may comprise, in addition tothe silicone and cationic hair styling polymers mentioned above, one ormore other hair styling polymers. Hair styling polymers are well known.Suitable hair styling polymers include commercially available polymersthat contain moieties that render the polymers anionic, amphoteric ornonionic in nature. Suitable hair styling polymers include, for example,block and graft copolymers. The polymers may be synthetic or naturallyderived.

Examples of suitable naturally-derived polymers include shellac,alginates, gelatins, pectins, cellulose derivatives and chitosan orsalts and derivatives thereof. Commercially available examples includeKytamer® (ex Amerchol) and Amaze® (ex National Starch).

Examples of anionic hair styling polymers are:

-   -   copolymers of vinyl acetate and crotonic acid;    -   terpolymers of vinyl acetate, crotonic acid and a vinyl ester of        an alpha-branched saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid such        as vinyl neodecanoate;    -   copolymers of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride (molar        ratio about 1:1) wherein such copolymers are 50% esterified with        a saturated alcohol containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as        ethanol or butanol;    -   acrylic copolymers containing acrylic acid or methacrylic acid        as the anionic radical-containing moiety with other monomers        such as: esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid with one or more        saturated alcohols having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms (such as        methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl        acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, t-butyl methacrylate, n-butyl        methacrylate, n-hexyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, lauryl        methacrylate and behenyl acrylate); glycols having from 1 to 6        carbon atoms (such as hydroxypropyl methacrylate and        hydroxyethyl acrylate); styrene; vinyl caprolactam; vinyl        acetate; acrylamide; alkyl acrylamides and methacrylamides        having 1 to 8 carbon atoms in the alkyl group (such as        methacrylamide, t-butyl acrylamide and n-octyl acrylamide); and        other compatible unsaturated monomers. The additional styling        polymer may also contain grafted silicone, such as        polydimethylsiloxane.

Specific examples of suitable anionic hair styling polymers are:

-   -   RESYN® 28-2930 available from National Starch (vinyl        acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl neodecanoate copolymer);    -   ULTRAHOLD® 8 available from BASF (CTFA designation        Acrylates/acrylamide copolymer);    -   the GANTREZ®ES series available from ISP Corporation esterified        copolymers of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride);    -   Luviset PUR® available from BASF.

Other suitable anionic hair styling polymers include carboxylatedpolyurethanes. Carboxylated polyurethane resins are linear,hydroxyl-terminated copolymers having pendant carboxyl groups. They maybe ethoxylated and/or propoxylated at least at one terminal end. Thecarboxyl group can be a carboxylic acid group or an ester group, whereinthe alkyl moiety of the ester group contains one to three carbon atoms.The carboxylated polyurethane resin can also be a copolymer ofpolyvinylpyrrolidone and a polyurethane, having a CTFA designationPVP/polycarbamyl polyglycol ester. Suitable carboxylated polyurethaneresins are disclosed in EP-A-0619111 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,955. Othersuitable hydrophilic polyurethanes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,822,238; 4,156,066; 4,156,067; 4,255,550; and 4,743,673.

Amphoteric hair styling polymers which can contain cationic groupsderived from monomers such as t-butyl aminoethyl methacrylate as well ascarboxyl groups derived from monomers such as acrylic acid ormethacrylic acid can also be used in the present invention. One specificexample of an amphoteric hair styling polymer is Amphomer®(Octylacrylamide/acrylates/butylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer) soldby the National Starch and Chemical Corporation.

Examples of nonionic hair styling polymers are homopolymers ofN-vinylpyrrolidone and copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone with compatiblenonionic monomers such as vinyl acetate. Nonionic polymers containingN-vinylpyrrolidone in various weight average molecular weights areavailable commercially from ISP Corporation—specific examples of suchmaterials are homopolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone having an averagemolecular weight of about 630,000 sold under the name PVP K-90 and arehomopolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone having an average molecular weight ofabout 1,000,000 sold under the name of PVP K-120.

Other suitable nonionic hair styling polymers are cross-linked siliconeresins or gums. Specific examples include rigid silicone polymers suchas those described in EP-A-0240350 and cross-linked silicone gums suchas those described in WO 96/31188.

Also suitable for use as styling polymers in the compositions of theinvention are the ionic copolymers described in WO 93/03703, thepolysiloxane-grafted polymers disclosed in WO 93/23446, thesilicone-containing polycarboxylic acid copolymers described in WO95/00106 or WO 95/32703, the thermoplastic elastomeric copolymersdescribed in WO 95/01383, WO 95/06078, WO 95/06079 and WO 95/01384, thesilicone grafted adhesive polymers disclosed in WO 95/04518 or WO95/05800, the silicone macro-grafted copolymers taught in WO 96/21417,the silicone macromers of WO 96/32918, the adhesive polymers of WO98/48770 or WO 98/48771 or WO 98/48772 or WO 98/48776, the graftpolymers of WO 98/51261 and the grafted copolymers described in WO98/51755.

Surfactant

Optionally, the compositions of the invention may comprise a surfactant,in addition to any cationic surfactant of the type described above. Thecompositions preferably comprise from 0.01% to 10% by weight of suchadditional surfactant. The surfactants which are suitable for use in thecompositions of the invention may be nonionic, anionic, zwitterionic ora mixture of such surfactants depending on the product form.

The hair styling compositions of the invention preferably comprise anon-ionic surfactant, in an amount of from 0.01% to 10% by weight,preferably from 0.01% to 5% by weight, most preferably from 0.1% to 2%by weight based on total weight.

Examples of suitable non-ionic surfactants are condensation products ofaliphatic (C₈-C₁₈) primary or secondary linear or branched chainalcohols or phenols with alkylene oxides, usually ethylene oxide andgenerally having at least 15, preferably at least 20, most preferablyfrom 30 to 50 ethylene oxide groups. Other suitable non-ionics includeesters of sorbitol, esters of sorbitan anhydrides, esters of propyleneglycol, fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol, fatty acid esters ofpolypropylene glycol, ethoxylated esters, polyoxyethylene fatty ethersand polyoxyethylene fatty ether phosphates.

Of particular use are those non-ionic surfactants of general formulaR(EO)_(x) H, where R represents a straight or branched chain alkyl grouphaving an average carbon chain length of 12-18 carbon atoms and x rangesfrom 30 to 50. Specific examples include steareth-40, steareth-50,ceteareth-30, ceteareth-40, ceteareth-50 and mixtures thereof. Suitablecommercially available examples of these materials include Unicol SA-40(Universal Preserv-A-Chem), Empilan KM50 (Albright and Wilson), NONIONPS-250 (Nippon Oils & Fats), Volpo CS50 (Croda Inc), and Incropol CS-50(Croda Inc).

Water

Compositions of the present invention will also include water,preferably distilled or de-ionised, as a solvent or carrier for thepolymers and other components. Water will typically be present inamounts ranging from 30% to 98%, preferably from 50% to 90% by weight,more preferably from 75% to 90% by weight.

Alcohol may optionally be employed as a co-solvent in compositions ofthe invention as this can enhance the performance of the stylingcomposition. A suitable alcohol is an aliphatic straight or branchedchain monohydric alcohol having 2 to about 4 carbon atoms. Isopropanoland especially ethanol are preferred. A suitable level for the alcoholis up to 20%, preferably from 5% to 15%, by weight based on totalweight.

Product Form

Compositions of the invention are formulated into cosmetic compositionsand will comprise cosmetically acceptable components. Compositions ofthe invention may take a number of product forms such as, for example,compositions intended for application to the hair, includingconditioner, styling and colouring products, for example.

Compositions of the invention are preferably leave on products ie,unlike shampoos and conditioners they are not rinsed off the hair afterapplication to the hair.

Preferably, compositions of the present invention are formulated intohair styling compositions which may take a variety of forms, including,for example, hairspray compositions, mousses, gels, lotions, creams,tonics and sprays. These product forms are well known in the art.

Particularly preferred product forms are foaming compositions. Foamingcompositions are those compositions which are capable of forming a foamon dispensation from a suitable container, such as a pressurised aerosolcontainer. More preferably, like the compositions of the third aspect ofthe invention, the compositions of the first and second are in the formof an aerosol mousse. Aerosol hair mousse compositions are emitted fromthe aerosol container as a foam which is then typically worked throughthe hair with fingers or a hair styling tool and either left on the hairor rinsed out.

Aerosol-foam compositions of the invention will include an aerosolpropellant which serves to expel the other materials from the container,and forms the mousse character in mousse compositions. The aerosolpropellant included in styling compositions of the present invention canbe any liquefiable gas conventionally used for aerosol containers.Examples of suitable propellants include dimethyl ether and hydrocarbonpropellants such as propane, n-butane and iso-butane. The propellantsmay be used singly or admixed. Water insoluble propellants, especiallyhydrocarbons, are preferred because they form emulsion droplets onagitation and create suitable mousse foam densities.

The amount of the propellant used is governed by normal factors wellknown in the aerosol art. For mousses the level of propellant isgenerally up to 30%, preferably from 2% to 30%, most preferably from 3%to 15% by weight based on total weight of the composition. If apropellant such as dimethyl ether includes a vapour pressure suppressant(e.g. trichloroethane or dichloromethane), for weight percentagecalculations, the amount of suppressant is included as part of thepropellant.

Preferred propellants are selected from propane, n-butane, isobutane,dimethyl ether and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the propellantcomprises dimethyl ether and at least one of propane, n-butane andisobutane.

Aerosol mousse compositions of the invention preferably comprise from0.1% to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.1% to 5% by weight, mostpreferably from 0.1% to 2% by weight, of a nonionic surfactant.

The method of preparing aerosol hair styling mousse compositionsaccording to the invention follows conventional aerosol fillingprocedures. The composition ingredients (not including the propellant)are charged into a suitable pressurisable container which is sealed andthen charged with the propellant according to conventional techniques.

Compositions of the invention may also take a non-foaming product form,such as a hair styling cream or gel. Such a cream or gel will include astructurant or thickener, typically at a level of from 0.1% to 10%,preferably 0.5% to 3% by weight based on total weight.

Examples of suitable structurants or thickeners are polymeric thickenerssuch as carboxyvinyl polymers. A carboxyvinyl polymer is an interpolymerof a monomeric mixture comprising a monomeric olefinically unsaturatedcarboxylic acid, and from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of thetotal monomers of a polyether of a polyhydric alcohol. Carboxyvinylpolymers are substantially insoluble in liquid, volatile organichydrocarbons and are dimensionally stable on exposure to air. Suitablythe molecular weight of the carboxyvinyl polymer is at least 750,000,preferably at least 1,250,000, most preferably at least 3,000,000.Preferred carboxyvinyl polymers are copolymers of acrylic acidcross-linked with polyallylsucrose as described in U.S. Pat. No.2,798,053. These polymers are provided by B.F. Goodrich Company as, forexample, CARBOPOL 934, 940, 941 and 980. Other materials that can alsobe used as structurants or thickeners include those that can impart agel-like viscosity to the composition, such as water soluble orcolloidally water soluble polymers like cellulose ethers (e.g.methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose andcarboxymethylcellulose), guar gum, sodium alginate, gum arabic, xanthangum, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,hydroxypropyl guar gum,starch and starch derivatives, and other thickeners, viscositymodifiers, gelling agents, etc. It is also possible to use inorganicthickeners such as bentonite or laponite clays.

The hair styling compositions of the invention can contain a variety ofnon-essential, optional components suitable for rendering thecompositions more aesthetically acceptable or to aid use, includingdischarge from the container, of the product. Such conventional optionalingredients are well known to those skilled in the art, e.g.:preservatives such as benzyl alcohol, methyl paraben, propyl paraben andimidazolidinyl urea; pH adjusting agents such as citric acid, succinicacid, sodium hydroxide and triethanolamine; colouring agents such as anyof the FD&C or D&C dyes; perfume oils; chelating agents such asethylenediamine tetraacetic acid; and polymer plasticising agents suchas glycerin and propylene glycol.

The following non-limiting Examples further illustrate the preferredembodiments of the invention. All percentages referred to in theexamples and throughout the specification are by weight of activeingredient based on total weight of the composition unless otherwiseindicated.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A group of three divinyldimethicone/dimethicone copolymers, listed inthe table below, was obtained. The materials were in the form ofoil-in-water emulsions with 60% to 65% by weight copolymer content andan emulsifier. Internal viscosity Kpa · s Particle @ 0.01 Hz and size25° C. μm (Carri-Med D50 CSL² ₅₀₀)* (Microtrack) Comparative  5 to 100.7 to 0.8 Example 1 Comparative 50 to 60 0.7 to 0.8 Example 2 Example 1170 0.41 *The viscosity is obtained by doing an oscillation measurementusing the following procedure: (i) Pre-experiment step: Parameters: 25°C. Wait for correct temperature perform equilibration eq. duration 5 minwait for zero velocity (ii) Oscillation step: Parameters: frequency rampStart frequency at 7.958 E−3 Hz End frequency at 40 Hz Temperature: 25°C. controlled variable: displacement ramp mode log applied value (rad)8.5 E−4The viscosity result is taken at 0.01 Hz.

The divinyldimethicone/dimethicone copolymers were tested in vitro forthe following attributes: smoothness, ease of comb and softness. Treatedhair was assessed by 9 experienced pannelists and the results analysedusing a statistical program. Smoothness Ease of Comb SoftnessComparative 48:52 31:69 46:54 Example 1 vs Comparative Example 2Comparative 43:57 48:52 33:67 Example 1 vs (significant) Example 1

The high viscosity material provides superior dry conditioningproperties, particularly softness, in comparison with the low viscosityones.

Examples 2 to 3

The following aerosol mousse formulations were prepared: ComparativeComparative Example 3 Example 4 Example 2 Comparative 2.4 Example 1 (%wt.) Comparative 2.4 Example 2 (% wt.) Example 1{grave over ( )} (% wt.)2.4 Polyoxyethylene 1 1 1 (20) cetyl ether (% wt.) Behenyl trimethyl0.26 0.26 0.26 ammonium chloride (% wt.) Stearyl alcohol 0.32 0.32 0.32(% wt.) Cetyl alcohol 0.32 0.32 0.32 (% wt.) Isopropyl 2 2 2 myristate(% wt.) LPG 4.0 8 8 8 (Propane/Butane) (% wt.) Water (% wt.) 85.7 85.785.7 Comparative Comparative Example 5 Example 6 Example 3 Comparative2.4 Example 1 (% wt.) Comparative 2.4 Example 2 (% wt.) Example 1{graveover ( )} (% wt.) 2.4 Luviquat * FC550 2 2 2 (% wt.) Polyoxyethylene 1 11 (20) cetyl ether (% wt.) Behenyl trimethyl 0.26 0.26 0.26 ammoniumchloride (% wt.) Stearyl alcohol 0.32 0.32 0.32 (% wt.) Cetyl alcohol0.32 0.32 0.32 (% wt.) Isopropyl 2 2 2 myristate (% wt.) LPG 4.0 8 8 8(Propane/Butane) (% wt.) Water (% wt.) 83.7 83.7 83.7

The materials used in Examples 2 to 3 and Comparative Examples 3 to 6were used as supplied and percentages are by weight based on the activematerial. The materials were obtained from the following suppliers underthe following trade names: Trade name Supplier Polymer of Example 1 DC2220 DOW CORNING Copolymer of 3-methyl- Luviquat * BASF PLC1-vinyl-1H-imidazolium FC550 chloride and 1-vinyl- 2pyrrolidone (50:50)Polyoxyethylene (20) NIKKOL BC-20TX NIKKO CHEMICALS cetyl ether Stearylalcohol KALCOHL 8688 KAO Cetyl alcohol KALCOHL 6870 KAO Behenyltrimethyl CATION VB-M NOF CORPORATION ammonium chloride Isopropylmyristate IPM-R KOKYU ALCOHOL

Example 4

The compositions of Examples 2 and 3 and Comparative Examples 3 to 6were tested for styling performance in vitro.

A mannequin head with permed Chinese hair (approximately 120 g of hair)is washed with 2×5 ml 16% by weight shampoo surfactant and then towelleddry until it is no longer dripping wet. 6 g of mousse is applied to thehair ensuring even distribution throughout. The hair is then combedstraight and left to dry at room temperature for 10 hours, combed andthe mannequin head is placed in a humidity chamber at 25° C. and 90%relative humidity for 2 hours. The treated hair was assessed by a panelof 10 experienced assessors to determine the treated hair having thestraightest alignment of hair.

The results for the compositions of Comparative Examples 3 and 4 andExample 2, where a lower score represents a better alignment, are asfollows: Composition Mean Score Example 2 1.1 Comparative Example 3 3.4Comparative Example 4 3.4Thus, the formulation of Example 2 containing the silicone polymeraccording to the invention gave straighter alignment.

The results for the compositions of Comparative Examples 5 and 6 andExample 3, where a lower score represents a better alignment, are asfollows: Composition Mean Score Example 3 1.2 Comparative Example 5 2.3Comparative Example 6 2.7Again, the formulation according to the invention gave best alignment.

1 Cosmetic composition comprising at least one silicone polymer having aviscosity at 0.01 Hz and 25° C. of greater than 100 Kpa.s together withat least one hair conditioning agent, with the proviso that thecomposition is not a shampoo composition. 2 Cosmetic compositioncomprising at least one silicone polymer having a viscosity at 0.01 Hzand 25° C. of greater than 100 Kpa.s together with from 2% to 30% byweight of an aerosol propellant. 3 A composition as claimed in claim 2further comprising a hair conditioning agent. 4 A composition as claimedin claim 1 which is a leave on product. 5 A composition as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the hair conditioning agent comprises a cationic hairstyling polymer present in an amount of from 0.01% to 10% by weightand/or a cationic surfactant present in an amount of from 0.1% to 5% byweight. 6 A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the siliconepolymer is present in an amount of from 0.01% to 10% by weight.
 7. Acomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicone polymer is ablock copolymer comprising a polydimethylsiloxane block. 8 A compositionas claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicone polymer is terminated at atleast one end of the polymer chain with an alkenyl group containing from2 to 6 carbon atoms. 9 A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesilicone polymer comprises at least one group of formula (CH₂—CH₂),bonded at each of its ends to a silicon atom. 10 A composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the silicone polymer has the formula:X{(R¹)(R²)Si—[O—Si(R³)(R⁴)]_(n)—O—Si(R⁵)(R⁶)—CH₂—CH₂}_(p)Si(R⁷)(R⁸)[—O—Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)]_(m)—O—Si(R¹¹)(R¹²)X′where: X and X′ independently represent H or a vinyl (CH═CH2)group; R¹,R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² independently representan alkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryl group or anaralkyl group; n and m are each independently positive integers of from5 to 10000, preferably from 50 to 5000; and p is a positive integer offrom 1 to
 100. 11 A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesilicone polymer has a viscosity at 0.01 Hz and 25° C. of from 110 Kpa.sto 500 Kpa.s. 12 A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesilicone polymer has a viscosity at 0.01 Hz and 25° C. of from 110 Kpa.sto 300 Kpa.s. 13 A composition as claimed in claim 1 which is a hairstyling composition. 14 A composition as claimed in claim 13 which is inthe form of an aerosol mousse. 15 A composition as claimed in claim 14which comprises from 0.1% to 10% by weight of a nonionic surfactant. 16A method of treating hair which comprises applying to the hair a leaveon composition comprising a silicone polymer having a viscosity at 0.01Hz and 25° C. of greater than 100 Kpa.s. 17 A method as claimed in claim16 which is a method for styling hair and which comprises a step offorming the hair into a desired shape or style. 18 A method as claimedin claim 16 wherein the silicone polymer is applied to the hair in theform of a composition. 19 Use of a silicone polymer having a viscosityat 0.01 Hz and 25° C. of greater than 100 Kpa.s for imparting softnessto hair.